The leading role the former “first buddy” took in stoking the Epstein controversy shows how he remains a potent political risk for Trump months after he publicly left the White House.

The controversy regarding releasing the Epstein files could divide Republican candidates for Arizona governor, Rep. Andy Biggs and Karrin Taylor Robson.

Republicans, independents and Democrats alike offered their opinions Friday on a topic dominating the news cycle – the Epstein files. When asked if Trump should release the Epstein files, some voters paused before answering.

Republicans remain fractured over whether to vote to release the Epstein files, and the issue threatens to follow members home during the August recess.

National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard leveled allegations against former President Barack Obama yesterday, claiming there is “irrefutable evidence” that he and his national security team manufactured a “false” intelligence analysis to show Russia helped Donald Trump win the 2016 election.

Tillis' Wednesday comments come as the Epstein files saga continues to cause drama on Capitol Hill. On Tuesday, House Speaker Mike Johnson said he would end the legislative session early before Congress' August recess and postponed a committee vote on bipartisan legislation that would call for the release of the Epstein files.

Americans are turning on President Donald Trump over the Jeffrey Epstein controversy, a new poll shows. The national survey from Quinnipiac University shows that a whopping 63% of those polled disapprove of how the Trump administration handled its probe into the accused sex trafficker, per The Hill.

Even President Donald Trump doesn’t seem to think his angry and chaotic efforts to end the renewed storm over convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein will work.

President Trump's supporters are continuing to demand answers over the Jeffrey Epstein files. Senior Reporter at The Bulwark Will Sommer, former Rep. Denver Riggleman and at The Bulwark Sam Stein join Katy Tur to break down the political impact of MAGA's obsession with the Epstein files on Trump.